BPAs, Dioxins, Phthalates… oh my! 

With the introduction of plastics into every part of our homes, our lives, and our culture, we have tremendously increased efficiency and lowered costs. But we have also introduced dangerous carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, too. Science backs this assertion, and we all know and fear that it’s true. But until recently, we didn’t understand just how many problems dangerous plastic compounds can produce – or what we can do about it. 

The good news is that plastics can now be made that are free from cancer-causing and endocrine-disrupting ingredients. Responsible products only use safer plastics, and Infuse is one of them. 

Let’s take a quick look at the harm that certain ingredients can cause, and what to look for on ingredient labels. 

First, our endocrine system. It’s a network of hormone-producing glands that direct and manage the body’s development, metabolism, and reproduction. Some lab-created materials interfere with the normal function of our hormones — and they’re found not only in plastics, but also in home, health and beauty products, fragrances, food packaging, and even food. 

Here’s what to watch out for:

BPA (Bisphenol A) used to be prevalent in the lining of food packaging, including water bottles and the lining of canned goods. Thankfully, many companies have steered clear. You can make sure that you do too, by choosing plastics that are not marked with “PC” (for polycarbonate) and opting for ones labeled “BPA-Free.” 

Phthalates are often found in fragrances, including cleaning products with fragrances included. In fact, unless a cleaning or beauty product specifically states the ingredients that create a certain scent (instead of simply stating “fragrance” in their ingredients), don’t use it.

Triclosan (TCS) is a germ-killer that has been banned in the USA, except for use in toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and mouthwash. It’s still very commonly used in these products. 

There are other ingredients to avoid. You can familiarize yourself with great lists on EndocrineWeb.com, the Natural Resources Defense Council’s website, and Goop.com,  

Unfortunately, most of these chemicals are not regulated in the United States. So it’s up to the companies that produce them to be responsible for the ingredients they choose and how they market their products. At Infuse, we take this as a non-negotiable. Our purpose is to make homes cleaner in a safe, environmentally-friendly way, so we would never bring toxic chemicals into the homes we want to help. 

So we use only environmentally sound plastics, reduce the use of plastic overall, select body-safe ingredients to scent our products, and generally create products that actually clean your home, rather than leaving harmful residue on surfaces or in the air.

Let’s recap:

  1. Familiarize yourself with what harmful ingredients to avoid, using reputable sources like those cited above.
  2. Read labels! Stay away from yellow and red flag chemicals.
  3. Choose products that deliberately use safe plastic and less of it.
  4. Choose products that actually clean your home, rather than leaving harmful residue behind.

A cleaner clean is possible, one that is designed and engineered to keep your family safe. Be vigilant, and choose to buy from companies that share your values.